What Will Be Netflix’s Flagship Franchise After Stranger Issues?

Stranger Issues is coming to an finish, and thus marks the tip of one in every of Netflix’s longest-running and most profitable sequence. What can be there to select up the baton? There are already a couple of reveals which can be rivalling Stranger Issues within the recognition contest, however what else may come alongside? Listed below are our picks of what is going to be Netflix’s flagship sequence transferring ahead.  

We’ve received six picks (or many extra as Kasey cheated) as to what is going to take over and are available alongside however one of many massive issues about Netflix is that they lay down so many chips on the desk that usually occasions, you by no means know what’s going to be a giant hit. Certain, you possibly can take a guess, however each every now and then, a KPop Demon Hunters or a Squid Sport comes alongside and blows all expectations out of the water. 

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One Piece

Picked by Jacob

Eichiro Oda’s beloved manga sequence has been in circulation for over 28 years, and arguably, it has by no means been extra widespread. With a whole lot of thousands and thousands of volumes offered, One Piece is the best-selling manga of all time.

On the time of writing, there are over 1100 manga chapters, totaling over 110 manga volumes. This implies there’s a vital quantity of supply materials but to be tailored, and, because of how lengthy it takes to supply every season, One Piece technically has the longest lifespan of all its originals, as adapting the sequence in its entirety may take over 15 years.

Nevertheless, the sequence’s longevity brings its personal issues. If it takes 2 to three years between seasons, it gained’t be lengthy earlier than the characters are aged out of their roles, and when you think about that within the manga/anime, the entire time Luffy has spent as a pirate is beneath three years, so if all the solid are 35+ and even 40+ after they’re meant to be enjoying younger adults, it’s going to be a troublesome promote.

There are a selection of various choices obtainable that Tomorrow Studios may pursue:

1. Relatively than adapting your entire story, Tomorrow Studios solely commits to adapting all occasions earlier than the time skip. 
2. Within the One Piece manga/anime, there’s a 2-year time skip; as an alternative, they might write it as for much longer —wherever between 3 and 5 years — to account for the actors’ rising ages.
3. Recast the actors for the post-time-skip story. A dramatic plan of action, however contemplating it may take 6-8 seasons simply to adapt all of the story pre-time skip, on the present trajectory, the actors may all be of their 40s earlier than it’s attainable to adapt all of One Piece.

Even earlier than the live-action sequence got here alongside, One Piece was already one of many hottest fictional franchises on the earth, and it continues to develop in recognition. As for Stranger Issues, its influence on popular culture remains to be being felt to this present day and can be for years to come back. The primary season of live-action One Piece adaptation was extremely well-received and, within the eyes of many, is already considered one of many greatest manga-to-live-action variations. The efficiency of the second season can be paramount to how Netflix views the sequence going ahead. If the sequence can develop its viewers in season 2, there’s no cause why Netflix gained’t decide to it for years to come back.

The best promote for One Piece is that it’s for all ages. You may benefit from the sequence by yourself, with buddies, with household, and even in on-line communities. In that regard, One Piece has the best potential to achieve the widest viewers of all present Netflix titles.

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No matter The Duffers Are Engaged on Subsequent at Netflix (Together with Stranger Issues)

Picked by Kasey

I’m dishonest for my first picks by placing in a spread of various titles, however basically, I’m betting that the Duffer Brothers can preserve the flame burning on Stranger Issues for a few years to come back, and the opposite initiatives they’ve fostered at Netflix will do nicely, too. 

Stranger Issues, because the mothership sequence, is coming to an finish, however that’s to not say that the IP goes away solely. We already know concerning the massive new animated present, Tales from 85, coming in 2026 throughout two seasons, and we’re additionally listening to good issues about extra Stranger Issues spin-offs being prepped for launch in 2027 and past. How lengthy we have now to attend for a live-action spin-off, although, is one other factor solely, and whether or not the prequel play, First Shadow, ever involves our screens both by means of a recording, mini-series, or film, is anybody’s guess. 

Outdoors of Stranger Issues, the Duffers have two initiatives prepped for 2026:

• One thing Very Unhealthy Is Going To Occur 
• The Boroughs

Plus, they’re tied to variations of Loss of life Observe, The Talisman, and The Savage, Noble Loss of life Of Babs Dionne, although whether or not they’ll go into manufacturing is unclear. 

In fact, the one draw back to The Duffer Brothers’ take care of Netflix within the coming years is that they’ve now signed an total take care of Paramount, suggesting their consideration can be break up or totally diverted from Netflix. 

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Bridgerton

Picked by Jacob

Shonda Rhimes’ adaptation of Julia Quinn’s beloved novels has been nothing wanting enormous on Netflix. It’s one of many solely Netflix Originals rising its viewers 12 months on 12 months, and with the sequence renewed for seasons 5 and 6, the longer term is vivid for the franchise. When you think about that there are 9 books in complete (the ninth novel is extra like an epilogue for the Bridgerton household), this implies the sequence may go as much as no less than 8 or 9 seasons, and that’s earlier than you think about any new spin-offs like we’ve beforehand seen with Queen Charlotte.

Exhibits like Sport of Thrones, The Strolling Useless, and Breaking Unhealthy proved {that a} sequence doesn’t must be marketed for kids to be a “flagship sequence.” So any argument over the mature scenes can exit the window. The sequence is extremely nicely produced, incorporates a incredible solid, and audiences are at all times anticipating extra content material. We’d argue that after Stranger Issues involves an finish, Bridgerton would be the de facto flagship sequence on Netflix till confirmed in any other case.

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Scooby Doo Dwell-Motion

Picked by Kasey

What Stranger Issues will get so proper is its nostalgic feeling. Whether or not you grew up within the ’80s or not, the sequence is dripping with what made that period nice and all of us now have a sense of what it was like. One present that’s been within the zeitgeist for many years is Scooby-Doo! And earlier this 12 months, Netflix confirmed it had greenlit a live-action model of the sequence, and the whole lot we’re listening to suggests it might be following in its footsteps.  

As I uncovered pretty not too long ago, it seems that Scooby-Doo is making an attempt to copy a variety of different key components that made Stranger Issues, notably the early seasons, so particular. It’s aiming for a younger solid, and the casting notes particularly point out a Stranger Issues vibe for the sequence. That’s to not point out the sequence is aiming to shoot precisely the place ST did in Atlanta… 

Past that, the whole lot else is unknown and dangerous. The sequence was tailored right into a live-action sequence earlier than, and on the time it wasn’t nicely acquired, although it’s since grown a cult following. Will Netflix have a Stranger Issues stage hit off the bat, or have to attend for generations to develop as much as see the genius? We’ll quickly discover out. 

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Wednesday

Picked by Jacob

The primary season of Wednesday took the world by storm. With followers falling head over heels for Jenna Ortega’s portrayal of Wednesday Addams and for Emma Myers as everybody’s favourite werewolf, Enid Sinclair, the primary season to this point has amassed over 2 billion viewing hours and 336 million views. With the addition of the second season, these numbers have skyrocketed, with the franchise now amassing over 500 million views. It’s not arduous to see why Netflix is dedicated to extra Wednesday with a 3rd season on the best way.

If we have been to evaluate Wednesday solely by its views, it might be the pure successor to Stranger Issues.

Nevertheless, in comparison with the likes of One Piece and Bridgerton, the largest query concerning the sequence’ future is its longevity. Whereas each Bridgerton and One Piece have supply materials to maintain their respective sequence going for years, the story of Wednesday is totally unique, and as such, the sequence will ultimately attain a degree the place it wants to achieve a pure conclusion. 

In some unspecified time in the future, the actors could outgrow their roles, notably since they’re portraying excessive school-aged characters. Some may argue in opposition to this concept by referencing the younger actors in “Stranger Issues.” Nevertheless, the important thing distinction is that Jenna Ortega was already an grownup when she first performed Wednesday Addams, whereas we have now watched the Stranger Issues solid develop up season after season, making them appear considerably older than the characters they painting. In fact, with some simple writing, Wednesday might be proven attending faculty, or we would see her expertise life after Nevermore Academy, probably turning into a magical investigator.

The alternatives outdoors of Wednesday for the solid are additionally value contemplating. Between the primary and second seasons of Wednesday, Jenna Ortega and Emma Myers have taken on a number of initiatives of their very own, and because the present’s recognition continues to develop, that demand will doubtless enhance. We are able to additionally anticipate related alternatives for sequence newcomer Agnes Demille, who gained over audiences together with her portrayal of Agnes Demille.

All that apart. One truth stays. Wednesday is likely one of the greatest reveals on Netflix, and as long as that recognition continues, Netflix will do the whole lot in its energy to maintain the franchise going. We definitely count on Netflix to resume for a fourth season and wouldn’t be in any respect stunned if the streaming service tries to barter a fifth season. We’re additionally anticipating to see spin-offs someplace down the road, almost certainly centered on characters like Uncle Fester and Agnes, who’re the right match for potential spin-offs.

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Narnia

Picked by Kasey

It has been an extended (lengthy) street to get The Chronicles of Narnia transferring at Netflix, but we’re lastly ready to say, “it’s taking place”. Now {that a} movie is lastly in manufacturing and confirmed for a late 2026 launch, the undertaking feels much less like a big gamble and extra like a calculated swing at a brand new flagship fantasy universe.

What we all know up to now is that the Netflix variations are being formed by Greta Gerwig, who has had a string of hits as of late and a powerful background in adapting prized and beloved works. Plus, given the dimensions of the universe being tailored, I consider the mix suggests we’re in for one thing that might each disarm long-time followers and appeal to a wholly new technology, and be one thing Netflix can lean into with a myriad of various kinds of variations for years to come back.

As for the longer term, Netflix has by no means spoken about Narnia as a one-and-done experiment. When Gerwig boarded the undertaking, the early chatter pointed to no less than two movies, and fingers crossed that’s nonetheless the case. The books are assorted sufficient in tone and scope that growth turns into nearly easy as soon as the muse is laid. If the primary film lands, it’s simple to think about Netflix branching it out and turning into the streamer’s largest fantasy property. 

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That’s our picks – what are yours? What may and can be Netflix’s largest hits following the tip of Stranger Issues?